obama! now, we know that we would not be here today were it not for those who stand guard around the world to preserve our freedom. to those in our armed forces, we offer our infinite thanks for your bravery, your honor, your sacrifice. [ applause ] >> this democracy of ours was forged by intellect in argument, by activism and blood, and above all, from john adams to elizabeth cady stanton to martin luther king, by a stubborn adherence to the notion that we are all created equal and that we deserve nothing less than a great republic worthy of our consent. the theme of this year's inaugural is "faith in america's future." the perfect embodiment of this unshakeable confidence in the ongoing success of our collective journey is an event from our past. i speak of the improbable completion of the capitol dome and capping it with the statue of freedom, which occurred 150 years ago in 1863. when abraham lincoln took office two years earlier, the dome above us was a half-built eyesore. conventional